Telegraph signal storage apparatus



Sept. 2, 1941- H. ANGEL ETAL 2,254,814

TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS- Filed Dec. 9, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS H. ANGEL BY ROBINSON ATTORNEY TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

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lNVENTORS H. ANGEL w. ROBINSON ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1941. H. ANGEL ET AL 2,254,814 TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE AEPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.7

INVENTORS H. ANGEL BY J.W. ROBINSON ATTORNEY S p 2, 194 HANGEL Em ,2 4, 4

TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1939 6 Sheds-Sheet 4 INVENTORS H ANGEL BY my. ROBINSON w ww ATTO RN EY Sept. 2, 1941.

H. ANGEL ET AL 2,254,814 TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Dec, 9, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 F] G. l6 320! [98 lNvEfiiToRs H. ANGEL BY J. ROBINSON wax-M ATTORNEY P H. ANGEL ETAL I 2,254,814

TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 L' 234 233 FIG. '8 a]; 1

228 j/zaz I v e. l9 2w FIG. 20 249 INVENTORS Ma/YM 'ORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1941 I 2,254,814 TELEGRAPH SIGNAL STORAGE APPARATUS Herbert Angel, Brooklyn, and James W. Robinson, assignors to The Western Far Rockaway, N. Y., Union Telegraph Company, corporation of New York New York, N. Y., a

Application December 9, 1939, Serial No. 308,326

30 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to telegraph signal storage apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for storing for a variable length of time telegraph signals which may be received, for example, from any one of a plurality of sources, such as a keyboard, a tape transmitter, or over a communicating channel from a distant point. The apparatus. is controlled by the received signals to select and/or arrange in predetermined order in accordance with the received signals comparatively small mechanical elements which have as many distinguishing characteristics as there are line conditions in the telegraph signals. These mechanical elements are stored in the arrangement in which they are selected and finally employed to control a transmitting apparatus to transmit telegraph signals which are representative of the distinguishing characteristics of the mechanical elements.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention the mechanical storing elements are small balls, and the distinguishing characteristics of the balls are their size and where the signals are of two different line conditions there are two different sizes of balls, one size representing one line condition while the other size ball represents the other line condition.

In the transmission of telegrams and in various telegraph systems, there are many instances where for obvious reasons it is necessary or desirable that the telegraph signals be stored for a length of time. Heretofore, the storing of the signals was generally effected by a perforated tape, the received signals operating a perforator to perforate the tape in accordance with the received signals in a manner well known in the art. The perforated tape thus constituting the means for storing the telegraph signals, it later being used to control a tape transmitter for transmitting to an outgoing circuit. Obviouslythe tapecan be used but once and constitutes a considerable expense in the course of a year and besides is likely to become damaged, which would result in the transmission of erroneous signals. Such 'a system also requires more or less complicated perforators and transmitters, which require considerable maintenance.

Accordingly, one of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus for arranging or selecting small mechanical elements in accordance with received telegraph signals which may be stored for variable lengths of time and ultimately employed to control a transmitting means to convert the mechanical elements back into telegraph signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for selecting and arranging the mechanical elements in the proper order and reconverting the mechanical elements back into telegraph signals that is rapid and accurate in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that may be used as a signal repeater in which there is no definite tie-up between the speeds of the received signals and the transmitted signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alarm device which is operable when a mechanical element is not deposited or placed in the storage means for each signaling impulse of a received code group of signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alarm device which is operable when other than the proper number of mechanical elements representative of a complete code group of signals are not removed from the storage means.

These and .various other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the latter of which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the invention showing the selecting apparatus, storage tubes, the transmitting apparatus and the elevating apparatus for returning the mechanical elements or small balls as in the preferred embodiment of the invention to the selector mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the transmitting apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing one of the units of the transmitting mechanism; a

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the transmitting drum stepping magnet;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 1--! of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken online 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line ll-Il of Fig. 10, showing part of the elements of a unit of the selector mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of a selector unit;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the units of the alarm operating device in the transmitter;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the lower section of one of the storage tubes;

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits for controlling the selector mechanism when associated with a keyboard mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits for controlling the selector mechanism from a line relay;

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits for controlling the selector mechanism from a tape transmitter;

Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits for controlling the transmitting mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits for controlling the modified selector mechanism of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 20 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits associated with one of the units of the alarm device on the transmitting mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention there are as many complete selecting units as there are selecting intervals in each of the employed code groups of signals and therefore if each code group has five selecting intervals, there will be five complete selecting units. Each of the selecting units has leading to it two so-called supply tubes with one size ball in one tube and another size in the other. These tubes invariably have a supply of their respective size of balls therein, the balls being placed therein by the elevator mechanism hereinafter described in detail. The movement of the balls "through the various units with the exception of the elevator mechanism is dependent upon gravity or the weight of the balls, accordingly the supply tubes for each selector unit extend above the unit, however, it will be apparent hereinafter that various other forces such as air pressure, magnetic means, etc. could be employed to move the balls. Extending from the underside of each of the selector units is a so-called storage tube, it being of such a size as to permit the free movement of both sizes of balls therein while at the same time preventing Jamming on the passage of one ball past another. Thus these storage tubes keep the balls in alignment and in the same order in which they are deposited therein. The selector units are adapted on each operation thereof to remove either a marking or a spacing ball from either one or the other of the supply tubes located thereabove and deposit it in the storage associated tube. The storage tubes are of sufiicient length to accommodate a comparatively large number of balls and may be curved or formed into helixes, etc. in order to increase the storage capacity for a given distance between inlets and outlets thereof.

At the outlet of the storage tubes is a drum in which are formed a series of circumferential rows of pockets which are adapted to pass beneath the ends of the tubes to remove the balls from the storage tubes one at a time from each tube and convey them past transmitting mechanism to transmit, according to their size, representative signals. The transmitting drum in the preferred embodiment is intermittently rotated an amount equal'to the circumferential distance bespacing ball is in the associated transmittingdrum pocket. As the balls of both sizes leave the transmitting drum, they are separated into their respective groups and then proceed to the elevating mechanism. The elevating mechanism comprises cam operated pawls which push the balls up return tubes to their associated supply tubes.

The selecting mechanism is adapted to be operated by signals from any one of a number of.

different sources, such as a keyboard, a tape transmitter or from signals received over a channel of communication and although the fundamental operation of the selector mechanism in all instances is somewhat the same, each have individual conditions and the above three are hereinafter described in detail.

It will be apparent that if for some reason one or more of the units of the selector mechanism on a cycle of operation thereof should happen to fail and not place a ball in their storage tubes and each of the other units operated and did place a ball in their respective storage tubes, each following group of balls removed from the storage tubes would represent a part of two received code groups and obviously be incorrect. Similarly, if the transmitting unit failed to remove a ball from one of the storage tubes on each operation thereof, each succeeding signal transmitted would be apt to be incorrect. Accordingly, alarm or safety devices are provided which signal an attendant on the failure of the selector mechanism to deposit a ball in each of the storage tubes on each cycle of operation thereof and on the failure of the transmitting unit to remove the proper number of balls from the storage tubes on each cycle of operation thereof. These various features of the invention and the structural arrangement of the elements thereof will hereinafter be described in detail.

Referring first to Fig. l, the elevating mechanism, the transmitting mechanism and the selecting mechanism are indicated in general by reference numerals 3t, 32 and 33 respectively. The selecting mechanism comprises a horizontal mounting plate 35 which is supported from the base plate 36 by posts such as bl. The posts 31 are of suitable length to provide suificient storage space between the selecting and transmitting units. The lower ends of the marking and spacing supply tubes 38 and 39, respectively, extend through the plate 34 and supply the selector mechanism with the marking and spacing balls.

Each unit of the selector mechanism com= prises marking and spacing magnets M and 5?, respectively, the operation of which removes a ball from either the marking or spacing supply tubes 38 and 39 and places it in the associated storage tube 43 in a manner hereinafter described.

The marking and spacing magnets 5i and 42 are supported on angle brackets M and i5 re= spectively attached to the underside of the mounting plate 84 on opposite sides of the storage tubes 43. An enlarged sectional view of part of the elements of a selector unit is shown in Fig. 11. The spacing selector magnet such as 42, Fig. 11, is attached by screws such as 41 to the depending sections of the bracket 48. Associated with the magnet 42 is an armature lever 48 which is pivoted at its lower end on a pin 48 supported in the magnet bracket Attached to the upper free end of the armature lever 48 by screws such as 82 and 83 is an upwardly extending finger 84. A spring 88 attached to the finger 54 normally holds the armature lever 48 and finger 54 in their retracted position with the head of the screw 52 against the end of an ad- Justable stop screw 51 supported in a plate 88 which also serves for a mounting for the spring 58. The plate 58 is supported on studs 58 extending horizontally from the magnet mounting plates 48. A stud 8| mounted in the plate 48 cooperates with the ends of the screw 52 in the armature lever. 48 to limit the operated position thereof. The associated marking magnet 4| has a similar arrangement of elements and two such magnets, a marking and a spacing, comprise a unit of the selecting mechanism.

Supported from adjacent the center of the underside of the selector mechanism mounting plate 34 by screws 82,are two horizontal members 88 and 84. Spacers such as 88 and 81- between the members 83 and 84 form spaces which permit the movement of horizontal marking and spacing shuttles such as 88 and 88 between the blocks. The lower ends of the marking and spacing supply tubes 88 and 38 respectively are fixed in the block 83 while the upper ends of associated storage tubes 48 which are Y-shaped, are anchored in the block 84. The horizontal shuttles 88 and 88 are interposed between the lower ends oi the supply tubes and the Y and the upper ends of the storage tubes and have afllxed thereto operating arms 1|. The arms II are properly guided for longitudinal movement and have holes adjacent the outer ends thereof through which extends the finger 84 of associated selecting magnets 4| and 42.

The inner ends of the shuttles 88 and 88 have holes 13 therein and in the normal retracted position oi the associated selector magnet armatures the holes 18 are directly beneath the lower ends of associated supply tubes 88 and 88. The holes 13 are of such a size as to permit the free passage of their respective sizes of associated balls therethrough without excessive play and are tapered from the undersides for reasons hereinafter described. Thus when the shuttles 88 and 88 are in their retracted or normal positions, a ball from associated supply tubes 88 and 88 will be in the holes 18 there but these balls are prevented from passing into the Y at the upper end of the associated storage tube 48 as the upper ends of the Y are slightly out of line with the lower ends of the supply tubes.

For each signal impulse of a code either the marking or spacing selector magnet 4| or 42 respectively, Fig. 1, of the associated unit will be operated to move its shuttle 88 or 88 toward the.

center and in so doing moves the associated ball in the hole 18, Fig. 11, therein over the upper end of the Y in the storage tube. The ball in the actuated shuttle thereupon drops down into the storage tube and the rest of the balls in the supply tube are prevented from entering the storage tube as the solid part of the shuttle will be under the end of the supply tube when the shuttle is operated.

As the shuttle returns to its normal position on the deenergization of its associated operating magnet, the hole 13 therein is again placed beneath the end or the supply tube and another ball drops therein. Thus each time one of the shuttles 88 or 88 of a selector unit is operated, a ball of one size or the other depending upon which magnet is operated is deposited in storage tube 48.

When the selector unit operates at normal telegraph speeds the interval of time allotted to each .signal impulse is very short and therefore the selecting magnets 4| and 42 are only momentarily operated. In order to insure that the balls in the operated shuttles will drop out of the holes 18 therein and not be pulled back or returned to their original position on the return of the shuttles to normal, the holes in the shuttle are tapered from the underside. Therefore,

' as a shuttle is operated, the sloping edge of the hole 18 imparts a downward motion in the shuttle and accelerates it into movement. Thus the marking and spacing balls are selected and deposited in the storage tubes 43 in accordance with the operation of the signals received on their respective operating magnets. The manner in which the marking and spacing signals are distributed to their respective marking and spacing magnets will hereinafter be described in connection with the circuits for controlling the operation of the selector unit.

The storage tubes 48, Fig. 1, in addition to storing and keeping the balls in the alignment in which the selector arranged them also conveys the balls to the transmitting mechanism 82. As hereinbei'ore stated the transmitting mechanism comprises means for removing the balls from the storage tubes 48 and transmitting groups of code impulses representative of the making and spacing balls. The transmitting mechanism 32, Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a pair of vertical mounting plates 8| and 82 to which is mounted the various elements of the transmitting mechanism. Suitably journaled in the plates 8| and 82 is a shaft 88 which has afllxed thereto for rotation therewith a drum 84. The drum 84 is of substantial diameter and extends substantially the entire distance between the plates 8| and 82. Arranged around the circumference of the drum 34 are a series of cup shaped pockets such as 88 Fig. 3. The pockets 88 are in a series of circumferential 'and axial rows, there being one more circumferential row than there are storage tubes 43, the extra circumferential row being provided for control purposes hereinafter described. A horizontal member 81 extending between the vertical mounting plates 8| and 82 has the lower ends of the storage tubes 48 anchored therein and serve to keep the lower ends of the storage tubes in alignment with their associated circumferential rows of pockets on the drum 84. The size of the pockets 88 on the drum are such that they permit the smaller spacing balls to enter therein substantially their full diameter while the larger marking balls protrude to the ball an appreciable amount beyond the periphery of pawl 88 is pivoted on the upper end of an arma- SI and." a spring 92 attached to the an extension of the armature lever ture lever pawl and holds pawl 88 in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 88. The lower end of the armature lever 8| is pivoted at 88 in a magnet bracket 84 which is attached by screws 86 to a bracket 81 extending from the outside of the vertical mounting plate 82. A magnet 98 in operative relation with the armature lever 8| serves when energized to pivot the armature lever in a counterclockwise direction against the action of a retractile spring 88. when the armature lever 9| is thus operated the pawl 88 which is in engagement with a tooth on ratchet wheel 88 steps the same an amount equal to the distance between consecutive teeth. Adjustable stops IN and I02 in operative relation with the pawl 88 and the armature 8| respectively limit the stroke of the pawl. A detent I08 in operative relation with the upper side of the ratchet wheel 88 is biased by a spring I04 to prevent rotation of the ratchet 88 in a reverse direction on the back stroke of the pawl 88.

The ratchet wheel 88 in the preferred embodiment has the same number of teeth as there are axial rows of pockets 86 inthe drum 84, Fig. 3, and the relative positions of the ratchet 88 and drum 84 upon the shaft 88 are such that when the ratchet is stopped in one of its rest positions, an axial row of pockets in the drum 84 is substantially directly beneath the lower ends of the storage tubes 48. Accordingly if there are no balls in the drum 84 or in the lower ends of the storage tubes 48 the first groups of balls selected by the selector mechanism 83 fall down the tubes 48 and into the row of pockets in the drum in alignment with the ends of the tubes 48. Following groups of selected balls drop into the storage tubes 48 and pile up one upon the other in the same order in which they are selected and after a few groups are deposited in the storage tube and have reached the lower ends thereof a control means hereinafter described initiates the rotation of the drum 84. The first step of the drum 84 moves the first group of balls inthe pockets 86 from underneath the storage tubes and over into engagement with rollers I05 on the right hand ends of pivoted transmitting levers I06. This movement of the drum 84 places the next axial row of pockets 88 beneath the storage tubes 48 and permits the next group of balls to enter this row of pockets. The levers I06 are pivoted adjacent their centers on a rod I01 which is supported in the right hand arms of T-shaped brackets I08 extending from the mounting plates 8| and 82. Retractile springs I09 attached to the levers I06 tend to pivot the same in a clockwise direction and hold the rollersl05 on the right hand ends thereof in engagement with the balls in the first axial row of pockets in the drum 84 beyond discharge point of the storage tube 48. Secured to each of the levers I08 at the left of the pivot points I01 are flexible members III. On the left hand end of the flexible members III are movable contacting elements II2 with associated stationary markings and spacing contact stops H8 and 4 respectively. The contact stops H8 and H4 are carried in insulating members H6 and III supported from the T-shaped brackets I08. Rollers such as II8 carried in the left hand end of the levers I06 assist in moving the flexible members III.

The contact stops I I8 and I I4 are so positioned relative to the contacting element H2 so that with a small spacing ball in the pocket of the drum associated with the roller I05 on the lever I06, the element H2 will make contact with the stop II4. Similarly with a large marking ball in the pocket of the drum, the lever I06 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction so that the element H2 makes contact with the stop II8. Thus the levers I06 are operated in accordance with the size of the balls in the axially row of pockets beneath the right hand ends of the levers I06. The levers I06 in turn operate the contacting elements II2 to contact with either the stops H8 or II4. While the contacting elements II2 are thus operated in accordance with the size of the balls inthe row of pockets in operative relative with the right hand ends of the levers I06, a group of impulses representative 1 of the position of the levers I06 is transmitted.

The circuits from the contacting element I12 and the stops H8 and H4 and the manner in which a group of code impulses representative of the groups of balls are transmitted will hereinafter be described.

As the drum 84 continues to rotate or step a predetermined part of a revolution on each operation or energization of the magnet 88 successive groups of balls are removed from. the storage tubes 43. A group of balls comprises one from each of the storage tubes 48. After passing beneath the rollers I05 on the right hand end of the transmitting levers I06 the balls move with the drum 84 to a discharge point which is preferably located at the underside of the drum substantially diametrically opposite the ends of the storage tubes 48. the left hand half of the drum 84 keeps the balls in the pockets 86 of the drum until they reach the discharge point. The shield I2I is held in place by a strap I22 which is supported by screws I23 threaded into the vertical mounting plates 8| and 82. At the discharge point of the balls from the drum 84 is a member I24 which has a series of holes I26 therein in alignment with the circumferential rows of pockets on the drum 84. As the drum 84 rotates and the balls reach the discharge point they drop into the holes I26 and therefore the pockets 86 in the drum 84 on the right hand side thereof as seen in Fig. 3 are empty and adapted to have other balls deposited therein when they are again rotated beneath the ends of the storage tubes 48. The member 124 is supported between the vertical mounting plates 8| and 62 by brackets such as I21 and the right hand end of the member I24 is recessed to engage and support the left hand erzigs of associated return and separating tubes The holes I26 in the member I24 and the return tubes I28 slope at a slight angle away from the drum 84 and therefore the balls on leaving the drum roll down these return tubes I28. Formed in the undersides of the return tubes I28 are slots I28, Fig. 6, which are of suificient width to permit the smaller spacing balls to pass therethrough while at the same time preventing the larger marking balls passing therethrough. Thus as the marking and spacing balls roll down the inclined tubes I28 the smaller spacing balls drop through the slots I29 while the larger marking balls continue in the tube I28. The slot I28 in the underside of the tube I28 is associated with the entrance to a tube I8I which confines the smaller spacing balls. Thus the two different sizes of balls are separated and placed in the return tubes I28 and I8! and the next operation to be performed thereon is toelevate and deposit them in their A shield I2I curved around associated supply tubes 38 and 39, Figs. 1 and 11. This operation on the balls is performed by the so-called elevating mechanism indicated in general by reference numeral 3I, Fig. 1, and a description of the elements thereof and their operation will now be given.

The power for elevating the balls is supplied from a constantly rotating motor M which has coupled to the shaft thereof for rotation therewith a counter-shaft I32, Figs. 1 and 7. The counter-shaft I32 has fixed thereon a worm gear I33 and is adapted to mesh with a worm wheel or gear I34 located directly therebelow. The wheel I34 is fixed for rotation therewith to a shaft I36 which is journaled in plates I31 secured to the base 36. Also fixed to the shaft I36 adjacent one end thereof is a disc cam I38 which operates the elevating mechanism in the manner hereinafter described.

Where the balls are separated into their respective sizes the tubes I3I for confining the smaller spacing balls are directly beneath the tubes I28 that confine the larger marking balls. The tubes I28 and I3I have two substantial vertical hairpin bends therein and the tubes I3I,

shown best in Fig. '7, are displaced a slight amount in a horizontal direction relative to the tubes I28 so that in the lower sections thereof all the tubes I28 and I3I are in the same plane. The tubes I28 and I3I are held in horizontal alignment one with the other adjacent their lowermost point by a horizontal member I39, Figs. 7, 8 and 9 which is supported between mounting plates such as I40. The horizontal member I39 has holes therein through which extends the return tubes 1 I28 and I3I and above and below each of the tubes are openings HI and I42 respectively in the member I39. The openings HI and I42 are in alignment with narrow slots I43 and I44 respectively located in the upper and lower parts on the tubes I28 and I 3I. Extending through the openings I42 and slots I44 in the underside of the member I38 and tubes I28 and I3I are retaining pawls I46. These retaining pawls I46 are pivoted adjacent their left hand ends on a common rod I41 and serve to prevent the movement of the balls in associated tubes in a leftwardly direction as will hereinafter be described. Springs I48 associated with the retaining pawls I46 bias them into a normal position, Extending through the slot I43 in the upper sides of the tubes I28 and I3I are depending projections I49 of operating pawls I 5|. The operating pawls I5I are pivoted on afcommon rod I52 supported in a bail member I53 which is in turn pivotally mounted at its lower ends on a rod I54 in brackets I 40. v A cam follower I56 pivotally mounted on one. of the arms of the bail member I53 is in operative relation with the periphery of the above mentioned disc cam I 38. A spring I51 attached to the bail I53 holdsthe follower I56 in engagement with the cam' I38.

Two levers I58, onlythe forward one of which is shown, are pivotally mounted adjacent their I left hand ends onpins I58 supported in posts I6I extending vertically from the mounting plate '36. Aiilxed to the forward lever I 68 by screws I62 is an arm I63 in the free end of which is a cam follower I64 in operativerelation with the top of the disc cam I38. A spring I66 attached to the lever I 58 holds the follower I64 in engagement with'the cam I38. Supported between the right hand ends of the levers I58 is a member I65 with 2. depending section I61. This depending member has in the lower end thereof a substanhand ends of the levers I58.

to permit free movement of the pin I 68 therethrough.

As the cam I38 rotates in the direction indicated, the high part thereof first rocks the bail I53 in a clockwise direction and in doing so the points I49 of the pawls I5I engage the balls in v the tube I28 and I3I and move them toward the right. After the pawls I 5I are moved to their right hand positions the high part of the cam I38 engages the follower I64 to raise the right The member I65 in rising with the right hand ends of the levers I58, through the instrumentalities of the depending section I6I.and pin I68, raises the pawls I5I out of operative relation with the balls in the tubes. While the pawls are thus held in a raised position the cam I 38 allows the bail I53 to rock in a counterclockwise direction and the levers I58 then allow the pawls to drop down and reengage the balls in the tubes I28 and I3I. Thus on the return stroke of the pawls I5I,'they .do not engage the balls and therefore do not have a tendency to move the balls in the wrong direction. Otherwise with only a few balls to the left of the pawls I5I the return movement thereof would be likely to move the few balls toward the left. As the balls are moved to the right by the operating pawls I5I, the springbiased retaining pawls I46 prevent the weight of the balls in the substantial vertical sections, such as I II, Fig. 1, of the return tubes from moving the balls to the left.

The sections III, which are extensions of the tubes I28 and I 3|, convey the balls up to associated supply tubes 38 and 38, the balls dropping into their associated supply tubes when they reach the high point in the-return tubes I II Obviously the return tubes I II are at all times full of their associated balls.

In brief review, the operation of the mechaism is as follows: The two sizes of balls in the supply tubes 38 and 39 are deposited or placed in the storage tubes 43 in accordance with the received signals. After being stored in the storage tubes 43 for a length of time depending upon various factors; the drum 84 rotates to remove a ball from each one of the tubes on each operation thereof and the balls actuate contacting elements in accordance with their size to set up on the stops H3 and H4 a code combination representative of the two sizes of the balls in a group. The balls are then separated into their respective size groups and the elevator mechanism 3I returns the same via the return tubes "I to the supply tubes 33 and 39 where they are again selectable by the selector, mechanism 33. Although the balls are separated into their respective groups prior to their return to the supply tubes, it is obvious that the separating opera--.

drum 84, Figs. 1 and 3. A mechanism will also be described in the following paragraphs which prevents the rotation of the drum 84 unless there are balls ready to be removed from the ends of the storage tubes 43, together with an alarm device operating in conjunction therewith. An auxiliary selector device is also described hereinafter which renders an alarm device operative whenever one of the units of the selector mechanism fails to deposit a ball in a storage tube for each cycle of operation thereof.

Referring now to Fig. 15 a description of the control circuits for the selection mechanism when associated with a machine such as a keyboard transmitter will now be given. The contacts of the keyboard mechanism represented in general as being within the dotted rectangle I12 comprises a set of five transmitting contacts I13 and a sixth contact I14. The contacts I13 by any one of several methods well known in the art are arranged to be sequentially or simultaneously closed in combinations representative of actuated keylevers and they may remain in closed or open position until the position thereof is changed by the actuation of a subsequent keylever. The sixth contact I14 however is normally open and adapted to be closed shortly after the operation of the contacts I13 in accordance with the actuated keylever, the contact I14 in variably closing momentarily on the actuation of each keylever. One side of thecontacts I13 and I14 are all connected to battery. The other side or stop of the contact I14 is connected by conductor I16 through the coil of a so-called sixth pulse relay I11 to ground while the other sides or stops of the contacts I13 are connected by individual conductorsv I18 through the coils of associated neutral selecting relays I19 to ground. The tongues of the neutral selecting relays I19 are connected in parallel by a conductor I8I to the make-stop of the sixth pulse relay I11, the tongue I82 of which is connected to battery. The make stops of the neutral selecting relays I19 are connected by individual conductors I83 through the coils of associated marking selector magnets 4| to ground while the break stops of the relays I19 are connected by individual conductors I84 through the coils of the spacing selector magnets 42 to ground, the selector magnets 4| and 42 being similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 11. The marking and spacing selecting magnets of a single selecting unit are those connected to the make and break stops respectively of one of the selecting relays I19. Also connected to the make-stop of the sixth pulse relay I11 by conductor I6I is the grounded coil of a control relay I86, the purpose and function of which will hereinafter be described.

When a keylever in the keyboard I12 is actuated, the contacts I13 are operated in accordance therewith which in turn cause the energization of the selector relays I19 associated with the closed contacts I13 and deenergization of the others to move their tongues to their make and break stops respectively. Shortly after the operation of the relays I19 in accordance with the condition of the contacts I13, the contact I14 'in the keyboard closed to energize and cause the operation of the sixth pulse or relay I11. The operation of the relay I11 occurs while the selecting relays I19 are operated and applies battery to the tongues of the selector relays I19. Depending upon, the condition of the selector relays I19 the battery at the tongues thereof is applied over conductors I83 and I84 to associated selector magnets 4| and 42. Thus, either one or the other of the selector magnets 4I and 42, but not both, of each selector unit is selectively operated in accordance with the closing of the contacts I13 in the control keyboard I12. One each of the selector magnets 4| and 42 are included in a selector unit and as either one or the other, but not both, of these magnets are operated for each cycle of operation either a marking or a spacing ball is deposited in associated storage tube. If there are five selector units, each having a marking and a spacing selector magnet such as 4I and 42, respectively, each of the associated five storage tubes 43, Fig. 2, will have either a marking or a spacing ball deposited therein on each cycle of operation of the keyboard. The control magnet I66 is operated on each cycle of operation by the sixth pulse relay I11 and is similar to one of the selector magnets 42. Associated with the control magnet I 86 is substantially one-half of a selector unit, having one supply tube 39 and a control storage tube I81. The supply tube 39 associated with the magnet I86 has only one size of balls therein and accordingly each time it. is operated one of these balls will be deposited in the control storage tube I81. These balls in the control supply tube I81 serve, as hereinafter described, to control the starting and stopping of the transmitting mechanism 32.

The control of the operation of the selector mechanism 33 will now be described when operated in response to and under the control of signals such as those received over a channel of a multiplex circuit, the associated circuits being shown in Fig. 16. A line relay I88- responsive to signals received over a line L has the marking and spacing stops thereof connected to opposite potentials and the tongue connected by conductor I89 to a solid ring I9I of a multiple ring distributor indicated generally by reference numeral I96. Segments numbered i to 5 of a ring I92 associated with a solid ring I9I are connected by individual conductors I93 through the coils of associated polar selecting relays I94 to ground. Thus, as the brush I96 bridges the rings I9I and I92, the selector relays I94 are operated in accordance with the position of the tongue of the relay I88 at the time the brush i96 contacts the segments of ring I92 connected to these relays. The selector relays I94 are adapted to operate in response to polar signals, the tongues moving in one direction in response to a positive signal impulse and in the opposite in response to a negative signal impulse. The marking and spacing stops'of the selector relays 696 are connected by individual conductors I96 and I91, respectively, to the'marking and spacing selector magnets 4i and 42 of the selector mechanism. Two local rings I96 and I99 of the distributor I99 have an associated brush 26I movable with the brush I96. Potential is supplied to the ring I98 and a segment 262 of the ring I99 is connected in parallel by a conductor 263 to the tongues of the selector relays I94 and the coil of the control magnet I86. Thus as brushes I96 and 2M traverse their associated rings, the selector relays I94 are first operated in accordance with the received signals and then the brush 20I contacts segment 282 to apply potential to the tongues thereof and the control magnet I86. Depending upon the position of the tongues of the relays I94 the potential from the segment I 202 is applied to either the marking 4| or spacing 42 selector magnet of each associated selector ated from a tape transmitter.

2,254,814 unit. Therefore either one or the other of the,

selector magnets will be operated for each cycle of the distributor and deposit either a marking or a spacing ball in the associated storage tube. Each time the brush 2IlI contacts the segment 202 control magnet I86 is operated to deposit a ball in the control storage tube I81 as herein before described.

In Fig. 17 the control circuits for the selector mechanism are shown when the selector is oper- For this arrangement the marking and spacing selector magnets H and 42 are controlled from the left and right hand stops respectively of polar selector relays I94, the same as in the last described'arrangement of Fig. 16. The coils of the selector relays I94 are connected by individual conductors 204 to tongues of the controlling transmitter represented within the rectangle 206. The tongues of the tape transmitter, as well known in the art, are operated to contact either marking or spacing bus bars 201 and 208, respectively, in accordance with the perforations in the associated tape. A distributor indicated generally by reference number 2I0 for operating the transmitter comprises a solid ring 209 and a segmented ring 2 with an associated brush 2I2 adapted to bridge the two rings. The operating magnet 2I3 of the tape transmitter is connected to a segment 2I4 of the ring 2 and when the brush contacts this segment the tape transmitter is operated to advance the tape therein and operate the tongues in accordance with the perforations in the tape. As the tongues of the tape transmitter 286 are operated in accordance with a group of perforations in the associated tape, the selector relays I94 through the above described circuits are also selectively operated. Another segment 2I6 of the ring 2II is connected by conductor 2I1 to the tongues of the selector relays I94 and to the control magnet I86 and as the brush 2I2 contacts this segment 2I6, potential is applied to the tongues of the selector relays I94 and the control magnet I86. Thereupon the selector magnets M and 42 operate in accordance with the position of the tongues of their associated selector relays I94 in the same manner as the above described arrangements.

By an arrangement well known in the art, a

cut-01f relay may be associated with either of the circuits of Figs. 16 and 17 so that when code combinations cease to be received over the line L or the auto-control of the tape transmitter operates, the circuits to the selector relays I94 will be opened to prevent depositing of balls in the storage tubes during such conditions.

The circuits associated with the transmitting mechanism 32 will now be described, the trans-'- mitting mechanism as hereinbefore stated comprising the means for converting the various sizes of balls in the storage tubes 43 back into respective signaling impulses. The associated circuits control the operation of the transmitting mechanism and distributes the impulses of each code to a sending circuit. The balls which are deposited in the control storage tube I81, Figs. 1 and 18, and as hereinafter described control the start of the transmitting mechanism. Supported from the vertical mounting plate BI is a bracket 2I8 which has mounted thereon in a horizontal position a magnet 2I9, Figs. 1, 2 and 18. The magnet 2I9 has an associated armature 22I pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end and has operatively associated therewith adjacent its upper end a push rod or pin 222. Each time the magnet 2| 9 is energized the armature 22I pivots in a counter-clockwise direction against the action of a retractile spring 224 to move the push pin 222 toward the left. The pin 222 is substantially horizontal and is guided adjacent its left hand end by a hole in a bracket 226 at the top of the member 81. The extreme left hand end of the rod 222 is in operative relation with a hole 221 formed in the side of the control storage tube I 81 near the lower end thereof as shown in Fig. 4. When the armature 22I is in its unoperated position the left hand end of the pin 222 does not project into the inside of the control storage tube I81. However, each time the magnet 219 is energized the armature 221 attempts to move the left hand end of the rod 222 through the hole 221 in,the tube I81 and into the inside of the tube. However, with the balls at the lower end of the tube I81 this movement of the pin 222 is blocked by the balls and hence the movement thereof is only a relatively small amount. Attached to the armature 22I adjacent the center thereof is a contacting element 228 which is adapted to make contact with a stop 229 when the rod 222 is allowed to enter an appreciable amount into the tube I 81. However, in the normal position of the armature HI and when the movement of the pin 222 is blocked by balls in the lower end of the control storage tube I 81, the contacting element 228 and the stop 229 remain apart. The function of the magnet H9 in conjunction with the stepping of the drum scribed.

Assuming that there are no balls in the lower ends of any of the storage tubes 43 or the control storage tube I81 and that the brushes 23I and 232 of a distributor 233, Fig. 18, are continuously rotating. Associated with the brush 23I is a solid sending ring 234 which is connected to the sending line and is adapted to be bridged by the brush 23I with a segmented ring 236. The brush 232 bridges a solid ring 231 to which is connected positive potential with an associated segmented ring 238. The brushes 23I and 232 rotate together and as the latter contacts segment 239 of ring 238 an impulse of positive potential is applied over a conductor 24I through the coil 242 of a relay 243 and a shunting resistance 240 in shunt relation therewith, over a conductor 244 and then through the coil of the control magnet 2I9 to ground. This impulse causes the tongue of the relay 243 to move to its right hand contact and operates the magnet 2I9. The left and right hand stops of the relay 243 are connected to positive and negative potential, respectively, and as the tongue contacts the right hand stop negative potential is applied through the tongue over a conductor 246 to the bus bar II6 supporting the stops II3 associated with the contacting elements II2 on the transmitting levers I06. The

, upper bus bar II1, supporting the contacting elements' II4, has positive potential connected thereto at all times. The contacting elements II2 on the transmitting levers I06 are connected by individual conductors 241 to segments numbered I to 5 of the ring 236. As it was as sumed there were no balls in the control storage tube I81, the movement of the pin 222 is not blocked on the energization of the magnet 2I9 when the brush 232 contacts segment 239 and therefore the contacting element 228 on the armature 22I of the magnet is allowed to engage This applies ground at the through the stop 229, over a conits make stop 229. tongue 22I 84 will now be de-..

-crdance with a line L. Thus a ductor 248, through a coil 2490f a relay 25! to positive potential. This circuit causes the tongue of the relay 25! to engage its right hand stop, the stop being connected by a conductor 252 through the coil 253 of relay 243 to ground. The left hand stop of the relay 25! is connected by a conductor 254 through the drum stepping magnet 98 to ground, the tongue being connected by a conductor 256 to a segment 25'! of the ring With the tongue of the relay 25! on its right hand stop the circuit from the segment 25! to the drum stepping magnet 98 is open at the tongue of the relay 25!. Therefore, as the brush 232 subsequently contacts segment 25! the 1mpulse which otherwise would go to the magnet 98 is applied through the tongue and right hand stop of relay 25 I over conductor 252 and through the coil 253 of relay 243 to ground, causing the tongue of said relay 243 to move to its left hand stop. This applies positive potential to the bus bar I I6 and therefore, regardless of the positions of the contacting elements II2 on the transmitting levers which may still be operated in acgroup of balls, all the segments I 235 will have positive potential applied there Now when the brush 23! subsequently contacts these segments, iive impulses of positive potential will be transmitting over the group of impulses is transmitted to the line representing an all-spacing combination when there are no balls in the control storag tubev I8! to block the movement of th pin 222 and the drum stepping magnet 98 is not operated. About the time the brush 23! contacts the number one segment of. the ring 233, the brush 232 contacts a segment 258 of ring 233 and applies positive potential over a conductor 259 through the coil 25! of relay 25! to ground. This impulse causes the tongue of the relay 25! to move to its left hand stop and completes a circuit from the segment 25! of the ring stepping magnet 98. The above operations of the relays 243 and 25! and the magnet 2I9 continue for each revolution of the brushes 23! and 232 as long as there are no balls in the control storage tube I81 and during each revolution of the brushes an all-spacing group of impulsesis transmitted to the line regardless of the conditions or positions of the transmitting levers I05.

A cycle of operation of the circuits of Fig. 18 will now be described in conjunction with the transmission of a group of impulses representative of a group of balls removed from the storage tubes 43. After two or three groups of balls appear at the lower ends of the storage tubes 43, balls will also appear at the lower end of the control storage tube I81, one ball being deposited therein in conjunction with each group of balls deposited in the storage tubes 43 as hereinbefore described. With three or four balls in the lower end of the control storage tube I81, the movement of the pin 222' into the tube is blocked. Thus when the brush 232 contacts the segment 239 or ring 238 the tongue of the relay 243 is operated to its right hand stop as above described, but the armature 22! does not make contact with its make stop 229 and hence the coil 249 or the relay 25! will not be energized. Now as the brush 232 contacts segment 25! an impulse of to on the ring positive potential is applied over conductor 255 through the tongue and left hand stop of relay 25! over conductor 254 to th drum stepping magnet 93. This impulse operates the magnet the drum and as here- 99, causing it to advance 238 to the drum 1 transmitting levers I05.

inbefore described as the drum advances, a group of balls from the lower ends of the tubes 43 will be advanced into operative relation with the rollers I05, Fig. 3, on the right hand ends of the The transmitting levers I06 are thereupon operated in accordance with the sizes of the balls so that the contacting elements !!2 attached thereto are engaged with either the stops !!3 or II4. At this time the bus bars H6 and II! supporting the stops H3 and H4, respectively, have negative and positive potential, respectively, applied thereto, and positive and negative will be applied to the segments numbered I to 5 of ring 236 depending upon the settings of the transmitting levers I06, the settings of the transmitting levers I06 in turn being controlled by the sizes of balls in contact with the rollers I05 on the right hand ends of the transmitting levers. When the brush 23! subsequently contacts the segments I to 5 of the ring 235, a combination of impulse representative of the sizes of balls under the rollers I05 will be transmitted to. the line. For the above set of conditions the tongue of relay 25! will be on its left hand stop and therefore as the brush 232 contacts segment 25!, the position of the tongue of'relay 25! is not changed.

Cycles of operation like the above continue with a code group of impulses being transmitted for each cycle representative of a group of balls removed from the storage tubes as long as the movement of the pin 222 by balls in the lower end of the control storagetube I8! is blocked. When all but two or three of the balls in the control storage tube IBl .are removed, the pin 222 is allowed to enter the ,tube and when this condition occurs, the transmitter functions to transmit a code group of all-spacing impulses as hereinabovepointed out. Two or three extra balls may be placed in the control tube I8! prior to the start of the mechanism to enable all the balls to be removed from th storage tubes 43 before the movement of the pin 222 is blocked.

Thus when there are no balls in the lower ends of the storage tubes 43 or but the two or three extra ones in the control tube I07, an all-spacing group of impulses is transmitted to the line on revolutions of the brushes 23! and 232. However, when balls do appear in the storage tubes, the drum 84 is rotated to remove the balls and transmit a group their size, these groups of impulses continuing as long as the movement of the pin 222 into the control tube I8! is blocked.

In Fig. 18 it was assumed that the brushes 23! and 232 were constantly rotating and that multi- I plex type signals were transmitted. However,

with obvious changes simplex type signals could I scribed selector, a; ball being removed from either one or the other of the supply tubes and de-' posited in the storage tube 43 on each operation of the unit. The supply tubesBB and 39 are sub stantially vertical at the selector unit and the arms of the Y of the associated storage tube 43 are substantially horizontal where they join the associated supply tubes. The lower ends of of impulses representative of tudinal members Fig. 19, is employed to operate mitter 206 the supply tubes and the Y at the upper ends of the storage tubes are held in position by longisuch as 262 and 263 bplted to the underside of the mounting plate 34. With balls in the supply tubes 38 and 39 the lowermost one rests upon the upper the Y at the upper end of tube 43. These balls are prevented from rolling into the supply tube 43 by bell cranks 264, the horizontal arms of which form detents to hold the balls in the ends of associated supply tubes. Each of the supply tubes have an associated bell crank such as 264 which are pivotally mounted at 266. Individual springs such as 261 associated with the bell cranks 264 bias the same to normal positions. On opposite sides of the iongitudinal members 262 and 263 are plates 268 which have a series of holes therein in alignment with the supply tubes 38 and 39. These holes are opposite the ball at the lower end of the supply tubes and form guides for associated longitudinal plungers 21| adjacent their inner ends. The plungers or push rods 21| are connected at their outer ends to the upper ends of associated armatures 212. The armatures 212 are operated by the energization of their associated marking and spacing selector magnets 4| and 42' respectively, and retractlle springs 213 normally maintain the armatures in their retracted positions.

When either one of the selector magnets 4| or 42' is operated the inner end of the associated push rod 21| engages the ball at the lower end of the supply tube to push it over the bell crank detent 264 and into the storage tube 43. As the ball passes the bell crank detent 264 the depending arm thereof actuates one of the springs of an associated normally open contact 214 to close the same. The manner-in which the contacts 214 functions to render the alarm device inoperative whenever the ball is deposited in the storage tube 43 will hereinafter be described.

The selector magnets 4| and 42' may be operated in accordance with any of the methods hereinbefore described such as from a keyboard, tape transmitter or a. line relay. If for some reason one of the plungers 21| fails to move the ball over the associated detent the contact 214 would not be closed and as pointed out in the following paragraphs such af.- condition would render an alarm device operative.

The circuits for one unit of the alarm device and for one unit of the associated selector mechanism are shown in Fig. 19 where the selector unit is shown controlled from a tape transmitter in much the same wayas that shown in Fig. 1'1. As only one unit of the selector mechanism is shown for the purpose of simplicity of the drawings, only one of the tongues of the transmitter 2081s shown connected to one of the associated selector relays I94, the other tongues of the transmitter being connected in a similar manner to other selector relays I94 which in turn control other selector units. A distributor 216,

the tape transand time the operations of the associated selector unit. The distributor has a brush 211 adapted to bridge a solid ring 219 with various segments of a segmented ring 219. potential is normally applied to the solid ring 216 from the tongue of a. normally deenergized double coil relay 262 over the associated brakestop, a conductor 283, through the tongue and brake-stop of a second normally deenerglzed horizontal section of the associated storage double coil relay 284 and thence over a conductor Positive selector relay I94 is on its 286 to the solid ring 216. Thus the ring 218 normally has potential applied thereto and when the brush 211 contacts segment 261 of ring 219 positive potential is applied over a conductor 286 to operate the stepping magnet 289 of the tape transmitter 206. The tongues of the tape transmitter being operated in accordance with the perforations in the tape, apply positive and negative potential over conductors such as 29I, to associated polar selector relays I94 only one of which is shown, to operate the same in accordance with the operation of the tongues of the transmitter. The tongues of the selector relays I94 are connected by a conductor 292 to a Segment 293 of the ring 219 and when the brush 211 subsequently contacts this segment positive potential is applied to the tongues of the selector relays I94. The marking and spacing selector magnets 4| and 42 of each unit are connected by associated conductors 294 and 296 to the left and right hand stops respectively of the selector relay |94. Therefore depending-upon the position ot the tongue of the selector relay I94 at the time the brush 211 contacts segment 293 either one or the other of the selector magnets 4| or 42 will be energized. Battery is applied to one of the springs of each of the contacts 214 and the other springs of these contacts are connected by conductors 291 and 296 through the coils 299 and MI respectively of relays 302 and 303 respectively. A resistance 304 is connected between the conductors 296 and 291 while a similar resistance 306 is connected between the conductors 294 and 296. The purposes of the resistances will hereinafter be pointed out. Let it be assumed for example that the tongue of the right hand. stop and the brush 211 contacts segment 293 to operate the selector magnet 42 to cause the transfer 01 a ball from the supply tube 39 into the storage tube 43. Part of the hand stop of the selector theresistance 304 move the tongue relay I94 passes through and coil 299 of relay 302 to 39 the associated detent bell crank 264 is moconductors 298 and 294 is of such a value as to prevent enough current to flow through the selector magnet 4| to operate the same when the contact 214 at selector magnet 42' is closed. Therefore, this magnet 4| will not be operated. relay 302 is connected over a conductor 301 through the right hand coil of relay 262, conductor 3| 3, to a segment 3 of ring 219 to which left hand stop of relay 303 by a conductor 3| 2 through the left hand coil of With the tongues of relays 302 and 303 on the left and right hand ment 3 for the above set of conditions, neither.

current from the right thereof to its left hand stop. As the ball is transferred from the supply tube pulse causes the tongues of relays 382 and 383 to move to their normal positions, 1. e. their right and left hand stops respectively. The circuits are thereupon all back and as long as a ball from one oif-the supply tubes 38 or 38 is deposited in the storage tube 43 for each cycle of operation of the transmitter 286 the alarm devices remain unoperative, it being apparent from a study of the circuits that the relays 282 and 284 will remain unoperated as in the above described cycle of operation, when a. ball is removed from the supply tube 38 on the energization of the selector magnet 4|.

Now let it be assumed that for some reason the selector magnet 42 failed to remove a ball from the supply tube 38 on the operation thereof. For this cycle the associated contact 214 will not be operated and therefore the grounded tongue of the relay 303 will remain on its left hand stop. With the tongue of the relay 383 in this position a circuit will be completed through the left hand coil of relay 284 when the brush 211 subsequently contacts segment 3! I, resulting in the operation of relay 284. The relay 284 in operating locks up through its right hand coil and supplies potential through an individual alarm device such as a lamp 3l4, a key M6 and a second common alarm device such as an audible alarm 3 to ground. The operation of the relay 284 also breaks the circuit of the positive potential to the solid ring 218 and therefore during following revolutions of the brush 211 the transmitter 286 or none of the selecting magnets 4| or 42 are operated. The operation of the alarm device 3!! calls the attention of attendant while the lamp3 l 4 indicates which one of the selector magnets such as 42' failed to deposit a ball in the storage tube 43. The attendant thereupon operates the key 3l6 which may also deposit the missing ball in the storage tube and restores the above described circuits to normal. Similarly, the failure of the selector magnet 4|! to function properly will render the individual alarm lamp 3I8 and the common alarm device 311 operative. The alarm device 3 may also be common to other sets of the alarm lamps, two for each selector unit such as 314 and 318 which indicate which half of a particular selector unit failed to function properly. Thus whenever a ball is not deposited in the storage tube 43 further operation of the selector mechanism is stopped until this condition is corrected and on the correction of this condition which may be automatically controlled by a key such as M8 the selector mechanism resumes operation.

Although this alarm circuit is shown in conjunction with the modification of a selector unit, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it could be readily applied to a selector unit such as shown in Fig. 11.

The apparatus and circuits whereby an alarm device is rendered operative whenever a ball is not removed from each one of the storage tubes 43 on .each movement of the drum 84 will now be described. If such condition is not made known immediately'or soon after it occurs the drum 84 may continue to step and remove groups of balls from the storage tubes and it is obvious whenever a ball is not removed from one or more of the storage tubes while others have balls removed therefrom each succeeding group of balls removed from the storage tubes will not represent a code group as received on the selector mechanism. When a ball is not removed from the storage tube on the stepping of the drum to their normal condition.

84 the 7 associated transmitting lever I03 will operate in the same manner as if a small ball 'was in the associated pocket. Hence it is necessary when the transmitter drum 84 fails to remove a ball from the storage tube to call this condition to the attention of an operator and preferably stop further movement of the drum. It is also desirable to indicate which one of the storage tubes has an extra ball therein so that a lowermost ball may be removed whereafter the groups of balls in the tubes will represent groups as selected by the selector mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 13 a set of auxiliary levers such as 319 are pivotly mounted adjacent their centers at 32l on a supporter 322 which in turn is supported from the members I88. There is an auxiliary lever 319 -for each peripheral row of pockets in the drum 84 and the depending arms 323 at the right hand ends thereof are in alignment with an axial row of pockets on the drum 84. The row of pockets with which the arms 823 are in alignment with in the stop position of the drum 84 being as close as possible, preferably the next or preceding the row in alignment with the rollers I on the ends of the transmitting arms I06. Springs 324 attached to the levers 3l8 tend to pivot them in a clockwise direction and force the arms 323 into the pockets 88 in the drum 84. However with a ball in the pocket the movement of the arm into the pocket is blocked. The left hand end of each of the levers 3l9 carry insulating pieces 328 which are in engagement with one of the springs of a normal open contact 321. Whenever the arm 323 on any one of the levers 319 is held out of the pockets 88 in the drum 84 the associated contact 321 remains in an open position. However, if a pocket 88 happens to not have a ball therein when brought beneath the ends of any one of the arms 323 the attached I spring 324 is allowed to pivot the associated lever 318 and close its associated contact 321. The manner in which the closing of such a contact renders an alarm device operative and stops further rotation of the drum 84 will now be described the circuits therefor being shown in Fig. 20.

Although in Fig. 20 only one contact such as 321 and associated elements are shown it is obvious that each of the peripherial rows of the pockets in drum 84 may have an'associated auxiliary lever 3 I 8 and contact 321 to operate an alarm device as will now be described. A relay 328 has the tongue thereof normally biased to its left hand stop by a comparatively weak biasing current in a coil 329, the tongue being grounded through a key 332. This left hand stop of the relay 328 is connected by a conductor 33! to one side of the coil of the drum stepping magnet 98 the other side of which is connected to segment 251 of ring 238 through the left hand stop and tongue to the relay '25! in the same manner as shown in Fig. 18. The magnet 98 in Fig. 20 is adapted to be operated in the same manneras in Fig. 18 the only change being that the ground circuit for the magnet is through the left hand stop and tongue of relay 328 and key 332. This circuit obviously being opened when the "tongue of relay 328 is on its right hand stop.

As long as the contact 321 remains in an open condition the tongue of the associated relay 328 remains on its left hand stop as held by the effect of the biasing coil 328 and the drum 84 will.

be stepped each time an impulse of current is received over the conductor 254. If however the contact 321' should happen to close due to the absence of a ball in any one of the pockets 86 ate whenever any one asses of the drum 33, a circuit is completed from ground at one of the elements of the contact 321, through the contact 321, over a conductor 321', through a coil 333 of relay 323, over a conductor 330 and through a coin 330 of relay 25| to positive potential. The above circuit causes the tongues of the relays 328 and HI to move to their right hand stops. The effect of the coil 333 of relay 323 is suflicient to overcome the biasing effect of the coil 32! tending to move the tongue of the relay to its left hand stop. Similarly, the effect of the coil 333 of relay 23l is sufficient to maintain the tongue on its right hand stop and overcome the effect of coil 26I which tends to move the tongue of the relay to its left hand stop when its operating circuit is subsequently completed by the brush 232 contacting segment 233. Hence the tongues of the relays 328 and 23l remain on their right hand stops as long as the contact 32'! remains closed. With the tongue of the relay 328 on its right hand stop an additional locking circuit is provided therefor from battery through a coil 333 of ductor 33!, signal lamp tongue to the of the relay 328 on its right hand stop the circuit to the drum stepping magnet 33 is opened thereat and further drum stepping impulses from segment 231 of ring 233 will not be eii'ective to step the drum 83. With the tongue of the relay 2 held on its right hand stop the relay 233 will be operated as in the above described arrangement in connection with Fig. 18 to cause positive potential to be applied to both of the bus bars I I1 and H3 of the transmitting mechanism. Hence for each succeeding revolution of the brushes 23! through an alarm device such as a 333 and the right hand stop and and 232, a group of impulses of the same polarity will be transmitted to the line. 'I'huasensing means comprising contacts such as 321 is arranged to stop further rotation of medium 33 when one or more of the pockets therein fail to the relay 328 over a congrounded key 332. With the tongue remove a ball or balls fromone or more of the storage tubes 33 and at the same cause the transmission of an all spacing signal in the same manner as when the rotation of the drum is stopped by virtue of there being no balls to block the movement of the plunger 222 in the control tube I81. In Fig. 20 the relay 23l is shown with an extra coil 330', the other circuits of the relay 25! being identical with those shown in Fig. 18.

The completion of operation thereof which indicates which one of the storage tubes 33 failed to have a ball removed therefrom on a preceding movement of the drum 33. The attendant in correcting this condition by removing a ball from the proper storage tube 33 and placing it under the lever 3|9 also operates the key 332 to open the locking circuits through the coils 333, 333 and 330 of the relays 323 and 2H, permitting normal. An audible alarm may be connected by obvious circuits well known in the art to operof the signal lamps 336 attention of the operator, such as 336 indicate the operates to attract the while individual lamps particular tube or tubes from which balls were not removed.

It is obvious that the alarm device shown in Fig. 20 and the control device of Fig. 18 operate independently of one another'and each function independently to stop further movement of the drum when the conditions are such as described.

return of the circuits to the circuit through the alarmdevice 336, as above described, causes the The selector mechanism 33 Fig. 1 may be an appreciable distance from and directly above the transmitting mechanism 32. Where such a conthe storage tubes 33 connecting the transmitting mechanism with the selecting mechanism are comparatively straight the balls may drop down the tubes, hit the drum 33 and bounce an appreciable distance back up the tubes 33. If the movement of the plunger 222 into I31 happen to be blocked while these balls were bouncing up and down in the storage tubes 33, the drum 33 might be stepped without each of the pockets having a ball therein. Although the alarm device described in Fig. 20 would indicate such a condition after one or two movements of the drum 33 such a condition would cause more or less delay in the transmission of succeeding groups of impulses. To overcome the disadvantage of having balls bounce up and dovm in the storage tubes 33 the lower ends thereof preferably have a series of one or more slight bends therein as shown in Fig. 14. These bends prevent the balls from bouncing appreciably and also serve to slow the movement of the balls down as they approach the drum 33. The control tube I81 may have a series of bends therein the same as the storage tubes 33 and several such bends may be employed instead of a curved control storage tube to delay the movement of the balls therein. The control storage tube I31 preferably having a greater number of such bends than the storage tubes 33 to insure that the balls in the storage tubes will be at the ends thereof before those in the control tube.

Although in the above described arrangements iive selecting units, five storage tubes and five transmitting units were employed, one for each impulse of a five unit signaling code, it will be obvious that the number of units could be varied for codes with a different number of units. Also with minor circuit changes one selecting unit, one storage tube and one transmitting unit could be employed instead of the five as described, each of the units then being operated for each unit of the signaling code and the comeeutive balls in the storage representing the consecutive units of the signaling code. Q

It is obvious, of course, that various other modiflcations of the invention may be made to accomplish'similar results without departing from the spirit or the essential attributes thereof and is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal storage telegraph machine, a plurality of two different types of mechanical elements, aplurality. of conveying and storage means for said mechanical elements adapted to confine and store said elements in the order in which selected, means for removing a mechanical element from each of said conveying and storage means on each cycle of operation of saidtelegraph machine, a detecting means, means 0 n trolled by said detecting means for preventinm further cycles of operation of said removing means on the failure thereof to remove a me chanical element from each of said conveying ,tion thereof.

'2. In a signal storage telegraph machine for transmitting code groups of impulses of two difierent line conditions, a plurality of balls of two different sizes arranged in a plurality of files with consecutive ones of the two different sizes of balls in the first, second, third, etc., files representing the two difierent line conditions of the first, second, third, etc., impulses of the consecutive code groups to be transmitted, cyclically operable means for removing a group of 'balls comprising one from each of said files at a time and transmitting a representative code group, detecting means for detecting the failure of said last mentioned means to remove a ball from each of said files, means controlled by said detecting means for stopping further operation of said removing means on the failure thereof to remove a ball from each oneof said files on each cycle of operation thereof and means for indicating the file or files from which said removing means failed to remove a ball that caused the stopping thereof.

3. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of current controlling members, permutation means for selecting said two difierent sizes of members in various permutations, storage means for storing said permutations of members in selected order, transmitting contacts, a rotatable drum and means including said rotatable drum for removing said members from said storage means and moving the same in the order selected past said transmitting contacts whereby the members operate said contacts in accordance with the sizes thereof to one or the other of two positions.

4. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two difierent sizes of current controlling members, permutation means for selecting said two different sizes of members in various permutations, storage means for storing said permutations of members in selected order, transmitting contacts, a rotatable drum with pockets therein, means for rotating said drum past said storage means, means operative on such movement of said drum and including the pockets therein to remove contact controlling members from said storage means, one member individual to each pocket, and in the order selected, means including said drum for then moving said members past said transmitting contacts and means controlled by said members in said pockets of said drum for operating said contacts in accordance with the sizes of said members to either one or the other of two operated positions.

5. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two difierent sizes of current controlling members, permutation means for selecting said two diiferent sizes of members in various permutations. storage means for storing said permutations of members in selected order, transmitting contacts, a rotatable drum with pockets therein, means for rotating said drum past said storage means, means operative on such movement of said drum and including the pockets therein to receive contact controlling members from said storage means, one member individual to each pocket, and in the order selected, means including said drum for then moving said members past said transmitting contacts, means controlled by said members in said pockets of said drum for operating said contacts in accordance with the sizes of said members to either one or the other of 'two operated positions, and means for stopping rotation of said drum on the failure of a pocket therein to receive a contact controlling member on movement thereof past said storage means.

6. In a telegraph signal storage transmitter, a plurality of two difierent sizes of contact controlling members, signal control means for selecting permutations of said contact controlling members in accordance with the operation thereof, a plurality of storage means for storing said contact controlling members, a set of transmitting contacts, a rotatable drum having a plurality of recesses therein, means including a magnet for rotating said drum to move said recesses relative to said storage means and said transmitting contacts, means operative on the movement of said recesses relative to said storage means to receive a contact controlling member from each of said storage means and moves the same relative to said transmitting contacts to control the operation thereof, and means operative on the failure of one or more of said recesses to receive a contact controlling member from one or more of said storing means to render said magnet inoperative.

'7. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of mechanical elements, signal controlled means for selecting permutations of said mechanical elements in accordance with the operation thereof, storage means for storing selected permutations of said mechanical elements, a transmitting mechanism, a rotatable drum, a first means including said drum for removing permutations of said mechanical elements from said storage means and a second means including said drum for controlling said transmitting mechanism in accordance with the size of said mechanical elements removed by said drum from said storage means.

8. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of mechanical elements, signal controlled means for selecting permutations of said two different sizes of mechanical elements,

storage means for storing permutations of said two sizes of mechanical elements in the order selected, a transmitting mechanism for removing the selected permutations of said two sizes of mechanical elements from said storage means andtransmitting representative code groups of signals, sensing means for sensing the presence of said two sizes of mechanical elements in said storage means and means controlled by said sensing means for controlling the operation of said transmitting mechanism.

9. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two difierent sizes of mechanical elements, signal controlled means for selecting permutations of said mechanical elements, storage means for storing permutations of said mechanical elements in the order selected, a transmitting mechanism for removing the selected permutations of said mechanical elements from said storage means and transmitting representative code groups of signals, a first sensing means associated with said storage means to sense the presence of mechanical elements in said storage means, means controlled by said first sensing means to initiate the operation of said transmitting mechanism, a second sensing means for sensing complete permutations of mechanical elements in said transmitting mechanism, means controlled by either of said first or second sensing means for stopping' operation of said transmitting mechanism and means for transmitting code groups of predetermined type on the stopping of said transmitting mechanism by either of said sensing means.

10. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two difierent sizes of mechanical elements, a plurality of storage means having entrances and laid mechanical elements, means to the same in said storage tubes.

13. In a machine of the character two difative and means for stopping further movement or said drum on the operation of said alarm device.

14. In a storing transmitter, a plurality of mechanical selecti selecting permutations of 16. In combination, a tape transmitter having said tape transmitter for selecti of said mechanical elements and depositing the detecting means.

19. In a storing two different sizes of said elements in said storage means thereof to which one of 1 on the operation thereof to 1 supply tubes, one of each pair for each i with each of said supply 20. In a storing transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of mechanical elements, means for selecting permutations of said mechanical elements, a plurality of storage means for storing selected permutations of said elements, one' element of each permutation to a storage means, at detecting means for detecting permutations of as selected by said selecting means, means controlled by said detecting means ation of said selecting means on deposit an element in each of said storage means, and means for indicating which'one of saidstorage-means said selecting means therein.

the failure 21. In a storing transmitter, a plurality of two 1 different sizes of mechanical elements, means for selecting permutations of said mechanical elements, a plurality of storage means for storing selected permutations of said elements, one element of each permutation to a storage means, a detecting means for detecting permutations of said element in said storage means as selected by said selecting means, said detecting means for stopping further operation of said selecting means on the failure thereof to deposit an element of a permutation in each of said storage means, and means for indicating said storage means said selecting means failed to deposit an element the size of the element which should have been deposited therein.

22. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of balls, pairs of supply tubes, one of each pair foreach size of balls for conveying the same by gravity to said transmitter, storage supply tubes located therebeneath and to receive both sizes of .balls and maintain them in order, shuttles associated with each of said supply tubes and interposed between said supply tubes and said storage tubes, means for selectively operating said shuttles, and means including said shuttles of a ball into said storage tubes.

23. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of balls, pairsof supply tubes, one of each pair for each size of balls for conveying the same by gravity to said transmitter, storage tubes, one for each pair of supply tubes located therebeneath and adapted to receive both sizes of balls and'maintain them in order, shuttles associated with each oi said supply tubes and interposed between said supply tubes and said storage tubes and adapted to be operated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said balls in moving from said supply tubes to said storage tubes, means for selectively operating said shuttles to deposit permutations of said balls in said storage tubes, and means operated by said shuttles for accelerating the movement of said balls from said supply tubes to said storage tubes on the operation of said shuttles.

, 24'. In aball storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of balls, a plurality of pairs of size of balls for conveying the same by gravity to said transmitter, a plurality of storage tubes one for each pair of supply tubes, magnets I tubes, means operated by said magnets for removing balls from assoof a permutation means controlled by for stopping further operfailed to deposit an element transmitting code groups of consecutive ones of in the first, second, third, etc., files representing the two'difierent line conditions of the first,

mitting a representative code group,

' files, means controlled by from each of said files on each assist;

pair of supply tubes for operation on each cycle of operation of said transmitter, alarm devices associated with each of said supply tubes, means controlled by a ball removed from a supply tube of a pair for maintaining the alarm device associated with said pair means for operating the alarm device associated with the supply be removed therefrom on the operation of the associated magnet. U I

25. In a signal storage telegraph machine for impulses of two different line conditions, a 'plurality of balls of two different sizes arranged in a plurality of files with the two different sizes of balls second, third, etc., impulses of the consecutive code groups to be transmitted, cyclically operable means for removing a group of balls comprising one from each of said files at a time and transmeans for detecting the failure of said last mentioned means to remove a ball from each of said a said detecting means for stoppin g further operation of said removing means on the failure thereof to remove a ball cycle of operation thereof, means for indicating the file or files from therein and which said removing means failed to remove a ball that caused the stopping thereof and means for transmitting code groups composed of one line conditionion the stopping of said ball removing means.

26. In a storage transmitter, a plurality of two different sizes of mechanical elements, signal controlled means for selecting permutations of said mechanical elements, storage means for storing permutations of said mechanical elements in the'order elected, a transmitting mech- 1 anism for removing the selected permutations of initiate the movement sa d mechanical elements from said storage means and transmitting representative code groups of signals, a first sensing means associated with said storage means to sense the presence of mechanical elements in said storage means, means controlled by said first sensing means to transmitting mechanism, a second sensing means for sensing complete permutations of mechanical elements in associated j said transmitting mechanism and means controlled by either of said means for stopping operation of said transmitting mechanism.

27. In combination, a plurality of two different means for storing selected permutations of said elements, a tape transmitter, selecting means controlled by said tape transmitter for selecting permutations of said mechanical-elements and depositing the same in said storage means, a normally inoperative alarm device, a detecting means and means including said detecting means for detecting the failure of said selecting means to deposit complete permutations of said mechanical elements in said storing means and means for rendering said alarm device operative and stopping further operation of said tape transmitter on the detection of other than a complete permutation of said mechanical elements by said detecting means.

28. In a ball storage transmitter, a plurality of of tubes inoperative, and

tube from which a ball failed to 3 first or second sensing 

